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Set a Welcoming Table: Navigating Dietary Requests

Setting a Holiday Table Setting a Holiday Table

Contributed by Sue Moores, M.S., R.D., Kowalski's Nutritionist.

Part and parcel of the Joy of Good Food is the joy of sharing it with others. As we roll into the holiday season, all sorts of opportunities exist to spread that joy.

But there may be a tiny hitch in the mix. Chances are someone (or someones) sitting at your table or joining you at a gathering are following a special or alternative diet. Or maybe it's you who finds yourself navigating your way through get-togethers. Approximately 10% of Americans are dealing with a food allergy, 20% have a food intolerance, and many other folks are watching what they eat for medical or religious reasons. Ideological and lifestyle factors, such as choosing foods based on environmental or fitness interests, may also play a role. Dietary concerns can serve up a whole host of new things to think about to ensure that you and your guests can happily and comfortably eat well.

Try these tips for rolling out a welcome placemat for a great holiday season.

If You're Hosting:

  • When you extend your invite, ask guests to let you know if they have a dietary request or restriction. If someone responds that they do, ask if their request is because of a food allergy. Accommodating for a food allergy requires significantly stricter preparation and plating practices to ensure no cross-contact occurs between an allergen and other foods.
  • Share your menu with guests. That gives them a heads-up on how to navigate the meal.
  • Jumpstart your grocery list by asking guests with diet sensitivities if they have favorite products or foods they like.
  • Build your menu with less-processed foods. This will reduce the number of ingredient lists you need to dig into to avoid problematic ingredients.
  • Offer a "buffet" approach at your gathering, where guests can create their own plates and choose which foods fit into their diet plan.
  • Label any prepared foods you serve as gluten free, nut free, dairy free, vegan, etc. This will help guests make their decisions without having to inquire about each item served.

If You're the Guest:

  • When accepting an invitation, let your host know you have a dietary need. Discern between need and preference. Accommodating dietary requests can add an extra layer of stress and work, so if it's a preference, see if there are other foods being served that you can enjoy. This reduces special accommodations the host needs to make.
  • Offer to bring a dish to share that matches your preferences or needs.
  • Share the parameters of your diet to help the host understand how to best navigate it. Make product suggestions if your host is amenable.
  • If your dietary needs are quite limiting, consider joining the gathering either before or after the meal.

Whether you're the host with the most or a guest with requests, there can be a delicious place for everyone at this year's holiday tables. Flexibility is the name of the game, and we're here to help guide you if you have questions. All the best for a happy holiday season. Cheers!

For details on various types of diets, check out: